| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 42.88 |
| Liaison | Jim Simon |
| Submission Date | June 28, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Gonzaga University
EN-3: Student Life
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Judi
Biggs Garbuio Vice President Student Development |
Does the institution have one or more co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives that fall into the following categories?:
| Yes or No | |
| Active student groups focused on sustainability | Yes |
| Gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, or urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems | Yes |
| Student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes | No |
| Sustainable investment funds, green revolving funds or sustainable microfinance initiatives through which students can develop socially, environmentally and fiscally responsible investment and financial skills | Yes |
| Conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience | Yes |
| Cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience | Yes |
| Wilderness or outdoors programs that follow Leave No Trace principles | Yes |
| Sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences | No |
| Programs through which students can learn sustainable life skills | Yes |
| Sustainability-focused student employment opportunities offered by the institution | Yes |
| Graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions | No |
| Other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives | Yes |
The name and a brief description of each student group focused on sustainability:
GEO - The Gonzaga Environmental Organization exists to promote the creation of a greener campus and community, the protection and enhancement of nature, and education about and enjoyment of our environment, all through action and leadership.GEO is a group of students who strive to make Gonzaga and the surrounding community more environmentally conscious and sustainable. (https://gonzaga.collegiatelink.net/organization/GEO)
Permaculture Club - A group of enthusiastic and passionate students focused on procuring a sustainable future with an emphasis on system sciences, particularly those pertaining to self-sustaining agricultural systems. (https://gonzaga.collegiatelink.net/organization/gonzagapermies)
Real Food Gonzaga (formerly Gonzaga E.A.T)- We strive to educate students about both our current food system at Gonzaga and its implications both on campus and in our greater Spokane community. As a student movement, we will work to align our food system with our University Mission Statement. (https://gonzaga.collegiatelink.net/organization/GEAT) Gonzaga also has many student-run clubs which are focused around service and justice, and clubs promoting awareness and acceptance of different ethnic, social, or gender and sexuality groups. CCASL (Center for Community Action and Service Learning) has three programs which involve sustainable initiatives. (1)The Notebook Project takes cereal box-type cardboard (pressed board) and used, one-sided paper, and binds them into notebooks that are sold at CCASL and the campus book store. All profits fund (2)Earthbound, a program where GU student volunteers go to local elementary and middle schools to run after school activities that are fun and environmentally educational. (3) The Spokane River cleanup is an annual effort involving hundreds of volunteers cleaning the banks of the Spokane River, many of which are Gonzaga students and members of various volunteer groups on campus. Plant Our Future – A student-run club initially funded by the Green Fund that petitions for and maintains plants in classrooms around campus – an idea inspired by the numerous benefits that plants provide in classroom environments, including reducing air pollutants and dust while increasing oxygen. Club members are responsible for maintaining plants and promoting sustainability around campus. (https://gonzaga.collegiatelink.net/organization/POF/about) GSBA - Sustainability Chair and RHA Chair Position
The website URL where information about student groups is available:
A brief description of gardens, farms, community supported agriculture (CSA) or fishery programs, and urban agriculture projects where students are able to gain experience in organic agriculture and sustainable food systems:
The garden is approximately 40 by 45 feet in size. The garden follows organic growing methods and has two composting containers. The garden's mission is to #1 educate students and #2 provide produce to those in the surrounding Spokane community who are least likely to be able to buy it.
The website URL where information about the organic agriculture and/or sustainable food systems projects and initiatives is available:
A brief description of student-run enterprises that include sustainability as part of their mission statements or stated purposes:
The website URL where information about the student-run enterprise(s) is available:
A brief description of the sustainable investment or finance initiatives:
Green Fund - The Gonzaga Green Fund provides one-time grant funds for student-led projects directed toward improving sustainability in the operation of the Gonzaga Campus. The fund and its student-led grant funding committee empowers students to advance as leaders and enables student-driven projects in sustainability by providing a source of funding, guidance, hands-on experience and networking opportunities. Funding student projects is consistent with the university mission of education and research and will contribute to Gonzaga’s vision to create a culture of sustainability through student-led programs and outreach. The Green Fund also supports the salary of the Director of Sustainability, a position that has been filled since late summer of 2014. (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gonzaga-Green-Fund/167633070012550?sk=info)
The website URL where information about the sustainable investment or finance initiatives is available:
A brief description of conferences, speaker series, symposia or similar events related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
Gonzaga has featured speakers from the Spokane River Keeper, the Lands Council, Conservation Futures, Scotchman's Peak Wilderness Organization, the Washington Native Plant Society, the local Wastewater Treatment Plant, and other representatives of various environmental organizations. These talks are intended to inform and introduce students to environmental opportunities and issues in the hope that it will influence an environmental conscience. In 2013, Jane Goodall addressed the students, faculty, staff, and community on the topics of climate change, sustainable family units, and sustainable consumption. GEO sponsors environmental movie screenings during Earth Week, and a Trashion Show displaying recycled outfits. The Office of Sustainability has hosted various panel discussions since 2014, including “Wealth, Poverty and Environmental Degradation,” and "Responses to Ecological Crisis: Science, Technology, and Moral Transformation.” In the 2015-2016 academic year, a Sustainability Film Series was introduced, showcasing films including Damnation and Chasing Ice. These screenings are often accompanied by Q&A sessions, with outside experts and activists as facilitators.
(http://www.gonzaga.edu/Campus-Resources/sustainability/initiatives.asp ; https://www.facebook.com/SustainabilityAtGonzaga/)
The website URL where information about the event(s) is available:
A brief description of cultural arts events, installations or performances related to sustainability that have students as the intended audience:
Diversity Monologues is a performance art event that centers on bringing attention to and providing a forum for artistic expression surrounding diverse experiences at Gonzaga University. Rock the Planet is an event held on or around Earth Day featuring several music performances, kiosks with information about environmental groups in Spokane, and many opportunities to increase student environmental awareness. The Women's and Gender Studies department offered talks recently by Peggy McIntosh, and Robyn Ochs which concerned privilege and sexual orientations, respectively. Both of these events were designed to promote acceptance and awareness of privilege, gender, and sexuality in ways that will increase sustainable social interactions. GSBA Program to get students to farmers markets and local businesses on the bus. EarthFest - a program to promote recycling, sustainability and more.
The website URL where information about the cultural arts event(s) is available:
A brief description of wilderness or outdoors programs for students that follow Leave No Trace principles:
Gonzaga University Outdoors offers students an opportunity to participate and learn about a multitude of outdoor activities. The program facilitates guided outdoors trips, offers students discounted rental services, provides affordable repair services, and has numerous resources. GU Outdoors promotes smart and safe outdoor adventures allowing students to enjoy the beautiful local surroundings. GU Outdoors hopes to inspire students to become active in protecting and participating in the outdoors throughout their whole life.
The website URL where information about the wilderness or outdoors program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-related themes chosen for themed semesters, years, or first-year experiences:
The website URL where information about the theme is available:
A brief description of program(s) through which students can learn sustainable life skills:
The Gonzaga Outdoor Leadership class takes several overnight trips to outdoor areas to teach students how to lead and survive in the wilderness. GU Outdoors seeks to introduce students to the outdoors through snow-shoeing, skiing, hiking, climbing, and a multitude of other outdoors skills.
The website URL where information about the sustainable life skills program(s) is available:
A brief description of sustainability-focused student employment opportunities:
The Office of Sustainability hires institutional and federal work study students to perform various tasks related to ongoing sustainable initiatives. GSBA director of sustainability position. RHA director of sustainability position.
The website URL where information about the student employment opportuntities is available:
A brief description of graduation pledges through which students pledge to consider social and environmental responsibility in future job and other decisions:
The website URL where information about the graduation pledge program is available:
A brief description of other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives:
The Center for Community Action and Service Learning (CCASL) offers several programs that integrate sustainability.
Mission Possible is a spring break service immersion trip in which students volunteer at sites around the country to live and serve in the communities that they are in. For the past two years, Mission Possible: San Francisco has focused on sustainability service work with special attention to opportunities to bring lessons learned back to Gonzaga.
Zag Volunteer Corps works in our community and often conducts ecologically focused service projects.
The website URL where information about other co-curricular sustainability programs and initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.